Inactives Analysis: Despite bad ankle, Gilmore will go

Erik Scalavino

Patriots.com Writer

Starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore injured an ankle in practice Friday and was originally listed as questionable for this game. However, he made the trip to South Florida with the team and will be in uniform this afternoon.

It remains to be seen, though, just how much, if at all, Gilmore will be limited by this recent injury. His availability and participation will be worth monitoring today. Perhaps a clue to his health status can be gleaned from the fact that two fit rookie cornerbacks, Duke Dawson and Keion Crossen, have been deactivated for today’s game.

Gilmore’s active status also means the seven inactive Patriots are exactly the same as last week versus Minnesota. Tight end Dwayne Allen continues to nurse a left knee that he first injured against Tennessee in Week 10. Allen hasn’t seen game action since that time and won’t again today, even though he’s been practicing of late. Shortly after arriving in South Florida Saturday evening, the Patriots declared Allen out for this Dolphins game.

The remaining four players are all once again healthy scratches (not listed on the injury report): defensive tackle Danny Shelton, defensive ends Keionta Davis and Derek Rivers, and offensive lineman James Ferentz.

Miami had a much longer list of players dealing with one injury or another this week. Most significantly for the ‘Phins, they had to rule out starting cornerback Xavien Howard because of a knee injury that forced him to sit out of practice all week. He’s a key fixture on their defense and Miami will surely miss his presence in their secondary against New England’s formidable passing attack.